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Best Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars – Easy Homemade Recipe

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These Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars are the perfect portable, shareable dessert with a buttery shortbread crust, a rich and gooey maple bourbon filling, and toasted pecans. They’re a crowd-pleasing twist on a classic pecan pie, ideal for holidays or any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (fine sea salt)
  • ¾ cup pure maple syrup (Grade A Amber recommended)
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon (e.g., Maker’s Mark or Bulleit)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups pecan halves (or roughly chopped)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides. Lightly grease the parchment.
  2. Make the shortbread crust: In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Pulse to mix. Add cold butter cubes and pulse until mixture resembles coarse sand with a few pea-sized butter lumps. Press firmly into the prepared pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes until edges are light golden brown.
  3. Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, whisk together maple syrup, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, bourbon, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
  4. Assemble the bars: Sprinkle pecan halves evenly over the hot crust. Carefully pour the filling over the pecans. Tap the pan gently to release air bubbles.
  5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are set and center is slightly jiggly (like firm Jell-O). Do not over-bake.
  6. Cool completely on a wire rack (about 2 hours). For clean slices, refrigerate for 30 minutes after cooling.
  7. Using the parchment overhang, lift the bars onto a cutting board. Cut into squares with a sharp knife, wiping the blade clean between cuts.

Notes

For the best flavor, use real maple syrup and a good quality bourbon. The bars must cool completely before cutting to prevent the filling from running. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For a non-alcoholic version, replace bourbon with 1 tablespoon maple syrup and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: maple bourbon pecan pie bars, pecan pie bars, maple bourbon dessert, holiday bars, easy pecan bars, Thanksgiving dessert, Christmas dessert

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/best-maple-bourbon-pecan-pie-bars-easy-homemade-recipe/